MP Johns says affordable housing is an urgent and desparate matter in Courtenay-Alberni

Gord Johns stood in the House of Commons last week and told the nation about the critical housing situation in his riding of Courtenay

Alberni, which includes the Parksville Qualicum Beach region.

“In my riding of Courtenay-Alberni, access to affordable housing has become an urgent and desperate matter,” said Johns (NDP). “The situation is critical: people are living on unsafe derelict boats, in the bush, and on the streets.”

“In Port Alberni, a city of 17,000 people, more than half the residents can barely afford their rent, while the homeless shelter had to turn away more than 1,000 people last year because they simply didn’t have the room,” said Johns.

The Port Alberni Shelter Society, The Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness, Dawn to Dawn, and the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness were named by Johns as local organizations who dedicate themselves to eradicating homelessness. “These organizations need urgent resources from Ottawa to help lift people out of homelessness and restore the dignity and compassion they deserve.”

— NEWS Staff

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